Paint/Seal/Prime MDF Shelves for Shed

[RichieSixty]

I've bought a cheap metal shelving unit for the shed that has MDF shelves.

As it might get humid in the shed, I want to paint/seal the MDF. Can anyone suggest any products that might work?

Couple I've found:
ZINSSER SELF-PRIMING PAINT SATIN WHITE 1LTR
ZINSSER BULLS EYE 1-2-3 PRIMER-SEALER 1LTR


Thanks all

 

[Mike13]

Any paint will just delay the inevitable swelling.

 

[opps]

As much as I like Zinsser products. Just apply a dilute coat of oil based varnish. It will be way cheaper.

Frankly, I would just leave them raw. Does it really matter if they expand by 1 or 2mm? A bit of humidity isn't too much of an issue for MDF. So long as the MDF isn't in regular contact with standing water, I wouldn't be overly concerned.

 

[RichieSixty]

As much as I like Zinsser products. Just apply a dilute coat of oil based varnish. It will be way cheaper.

Frankly, I would just leave them raw. Does it really matter if they expand by 1 or 2mm? A bit of humidity isn't too much of an issue for MDF. So long as the MDF isn't in regular contact with standing water, I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Thanks, I might just do this. The shelves only cost £60, and spending £20 and multiple hours painting them just doesn't really seem worth it.

Cheers,

Rich

 

[opps]

If you put wet items on the shelves, the area under the items will raise up by about half a mm. If that is a concern, just use dilute oil based varnish, and possibly a full fat coat on top of that.

My garage has chipboard shelves, it isn't damp but if they swell very slightly, I don't care.

 

[Notch7]

Mdf will sag in a shed.